Probe in graft charges against Bhujbal, kin still on: HC told

Mumbai: Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today informed the Bombay High Court that its open inquiry against former state PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal and his family for alleged money laundering was still on.

Advocate Ashutosh Kumbakoni, appearing for ACB, today told a division bench, headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah, that the open inquiry against Bhujbal, his son Pankaj and nephew Sameer was still on.

ACB had in February this year submitted its first report to the high court. The agency today told the court that it would submit a second report before the court on April 29. ACB and Enforcement Directorate (ED) had initiated an inquiry against Bhujbal following a petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleging that as PWD minister, Bhujbal had favoured a contractor by the name of Chamankar Enterprises to rebuild Maharashtra Sadan in Mumbai and Delhi at a cost of Rs 100 crore.

"The contractor had in turn made payments to two companies, namely, Origin Infrastructure Pvt Ltd and Ideen Furniture which were controlled by Bhujbal and his relatives," says the PIL.

It asked for the registration of an FIR against Bhujbal and his relatives and sought a special investigation team (SIT) probe the allegations.